The Outer Banks are surely a symbolic representation of the Lighthouse Culture along North American Coasts. From essential necessity in the olden days, to aesthetic landmarks with fan-clubs nowadays. Even though there were enough lighthouses along the North Carolina coast, it has one of the highest shipwreck concentrations in the world. The shallow waters off the banks are a giant ship graveyard. In fact, the Outer Banks and Sable Island off the coast of Nova Scotia, are called the Graveyard of the Atlantic. In the case of the Outer Banks, the cold waters of the Labrador Current collide with the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. Severe weather and treacherous currents took their toll ever since commercial shipping started to increase since the discovery of the Americas. Recording of sunken ships began in 1526, counting more than 1,000 to the present day. There are more than 600 wrecks in front of Cape Hatteras alone. Of the more famous ships are the USS Monitor, a civil war ironclad ship, and the HMS Bounty (the movie ship) which sank just recently. The picture above shows Bodie Island Lighthouse.

The cast iron stairs of the Currituck Beach Light in Corolla.

A wood shingled house in Rodanthe. This style of house is common in the Outer Banks, just like the houses

on stilts close to the beach front. Unfortunately the very distinctive and widespread stilt houses are being

replaced by houses in the not so distinctive International Style.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. This signal is probably the most important anywhere along the american coasts.

600 shipwrecks in front of Cape Hatteras speak volumes.

This is where Cape Hatteras Lighthouse used to stand. It had to be relocated in 1999 due to beach erosion.

The whole 5,000 ton structure was moved 2,870 feet (870 m),

the tallest masonry structure ever to be moved.

Some dunes are immensely wide and should

only be crossed over the boardwalks.

The Hatteras area is well known for its strong surf.

The dune landscape, the wide beaches and the frigid waters are familiar to North Germans

as the German North Sea coastline bears great similarities.

Seen this before? It´s the picture of my homepage. Some beaches along the Outer Banks are accessible by car.

The marsh waters of Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Night mood in the long-drink hours.

Check out more pics of OBX